If you are fortunate enough, you will never have to make a claim. But as life would have it, it’s always best to prepare for the worst by knowing if and when you can opt to claim or pay out-of-pocket. And thanks to “smart claiming” you now can!

We all love the boisterous nature of our pets – from their hyperactive activities to their adventurous spirit. Their constant need for new discoveries continues to keep us (and our social media followers) thoroughly entertained. But disaster can strike at any given moment and you’ll want to make sure that you have all your ducks in a row should anything happen. This is where pet insurance comes in.

The power of your policy

Opting in for comprehensive pet insurance is essentially a policy that you purchase that promises you assistance whenever things go wrong with your little fur baby. Provided that the specific incident falls within the terms and conditions of your specific policy, you are granted access to an exceptional amount of benefits all at your fingertips.

So how do you unlock these comprehensive benefits? You take out a plan and alert your insurance company that you’d like them to cover the bill (also known as lodging a claim). If your specific claim is accepted (which they almost all are) your insurance company will fulfil their promise and foot the bill. It’s a fool-proof way to keep your pet happy and healthy!

What is a claim?

Here’s the thing, a common misconception about pet insurance is that a claim looks different when it comes to your pets. But you’ll be happy to know that it is exactly the same as a claim for human health insurance. Essentially, you need to notify your pet insurer that your pet has suffered a loss of damage and you will like them to cover the costs. Then simply provide them with proof of a genuine claim, and should they be satisfied with the terms and conditions, your bill will be sorted.

When can I log a claim?

Contrary to popular belief you don’t have to lodge a claim every single time your pet is in need of medical attention. Yes! This one may come as a surprise actually. It did for me as well. However, unlike medical aid, pet insurance allows you to benefit from “smart claiming”.

You have the option to save your claim for bigger unforeseen incidents that you would most likely be unable to fund yourself. This will also help ensure that your premiums stay low. So, in the event of a medical emergency, you can decide whether you’d like to foot the bill out-of-pocket or have your insurance company take care of it!

Why this makes financial sense

Look, as I said earlier, accidents certainly do happen. And they aren’t exactly cheap. No matter how careful or responsible we are, our little puppies find and devour our favourite shoes, our kittens climb and stumble off shelves, and we have a responsibility to mend them back to health. Pet insurance is, therefore, the safety net all of us pet owners need.

But if we’re being honest there is no need to log a claim for every single incident. Let’s say that your pet goes in for a routine veterinary check-up or wellness visit, there really is no need to lodge a claim when you could pay for this one yourself. These medical services are generally a lot more affordable.

The real costs being lie with your more serious visits. Think about unexpected emergencies and surgeries. That’s where you can expect a heftier bill. Naturally, unforeseen but common and expensive veterinary care is almost impossible to foresee. Dog bites, fractures, and object ingestion can cost thousands of Rands to treat.

It is for this reason that I suggest saving your claim for the bigger medical procedures. It just makes logical and financial sense to do so.  More importantly, there’s no way to anticipate what will happen in the future — you cannot predict when or how your pet will get sick, or how much it will cost. Save yourself the headache and utilise your strongest tool - pet insurance – that will help empower you to take care of your fur baby without the financial burden.

Like any insurance plan, pet insurance is designed to give both you and your pet peace of mind. Which we could all do with given the current climate. Achieving greater pet wellness, happiness and health has never been easier or more affordable. It’s what you and your four-legged family member deserve.

Keeping your pet happy and healthy shouldn’t just be your job alone. Pet Insurance is always happy (and ready) to help whenever you need them most!

Until next time,

The Pet Insurance Team